The bill aims to enhance the scheduling and provision of meal and rest breaks for healthcare workers in Washington hospitals, recognizing the importance of these breaks for both employee well-being and patient safety. It introduces new provisions that clarify the rights of healthcare employees to receive uninterrupted meal and rest breaks, while also allowing for flexibility in scheduling. Specifically, it allows for the combination of meal and rest periods upon mutual agreement between the employer and employee, and introduces a framework for waiving certain meal and rest period requirements under specific conditions, provided that such waivers are documented and voluntary.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to require employers to maintain records of missed meal and rest periods and to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Labor and Industries detailing missed breaks and waivers. It establishes definitions for "employee" and "employer" within the context of the law, ensuring that the provisions apply specifically to hospital workers. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 49.12.480